'damson-colored' originates from English, combining the word 'damson' (the fruit name) and 'colored' (having a color). 'Damson' itself comes from Medieval Latin 'prunum damascenum' (literally 'plum of Damascus').

'damson' changed from the Medieval Latin phrase 'prunum damascenum' into Old French 'damaison'/'damason' and then into Middle English as 'damson'; the adjective 'damson-colored' was formed in modern English by combining that noun with 'colored'.

Initially 'damascenum' referred to a plum associated with Damascus; over time the word came to denote the specific fruit ('damson') and then the characteristic deep purple color; today 'damson-colored' specifically describes that deep plum-like purple.